[Emm]

@addxb2 116626 wrote:

Emm, That would be awesome!

So apparently I no longer have the ability to send private messages…so if you can, send me one. If not, I’ll contact the admins…not sure why the feature got shut off on my end.

Short story–this week Tues-Thurs work for me, or the following week Tuesday or Wednesday.

[Emm]

You just had a psycho. I had a guy a few weeks ago on the W&OD who tried to knock me off the trail WHILE I was passing him (I called the pass, VERY loudly), tailed me cursing and swearing, and then cut ahead of me in a way that almost knocked me off the trail again, and then swerved around so I couldn’t pass him again (while of course slowing down, and nearly hitting some pedestrians). He tried the same routine again when another cyclist passed him (once again, called his pass and was safe). As a female on a pink road bike, on a rural part of the W&OD this scared the sh*t out of me.

Outside of that guy though, in my 2 years commuting and using the trails around DC, I’ve never encountered someone who was dangerously crazy. Annoying and unsafe–totally. But not crazy to the point of me almost calling for help.

You mentioned in your post passing on your right though–don’t do that on a trail. That’d make me go a little lunatic too.

[Emm]

@addxb2 116519 wrote:

Hey everyone,
My names Alex. I just moved here for an internship and looking to bike to work. I live in “Arlandia” just south of Four Mile Stretch and work on North Capital Street near Union Station. I couldnt bring my own bike so I will be reliant on bike share. I plan to use the station at S Glebe and Potomac. Since I am new to city biking I’d like to start out with an easier route, even if it makes my commute a tad longer. I’ve used a few resources and had a few suggestions but would appreciate more opinions on roads and that work best, or what you’d suggest.
Any advice helps! Thanks!

I live and work close to you. I’d be happy to bike in with you one day if that helps at all. I generally take one of the routes DBB suggested–it’s a great commute.

[Emm]

@PotomacCyclist 116489 wrote:

There are some bikes parked “normally” at that corkscrew rack, but I agree that the design makes it a little more difficult to use.

https://goo.gl/maps/dTRXh

The same with the wave racks. I’ve seen many bikes parked in them as (I assume) there were intended to be used. I do think that some of the artistic bike racks need more thought about their function. Some of them are nearly unusable.

Placement and installation are important too. This bike rack at the airport is one of the worst installations I’ve seen. The wheelbender has been placed too close to the wall. Instead of 7-12 spaces, the rack can only hold 2 or 3 bikes.

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The one in front of the target @ Potomac yards is installed the same way, except its one of the wave racks. Maybe 12 inches or so between rack and wall, which is not enough for a bike wheel. There’s also a ledge there which complicates things. I always feel like a jerk when I park my bike sideways on it, but they don’t give me much of a choice.

And don’t even get me started on these racks.
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How do I get a ulock around my frame and the rack??? There is one by the CVS on Monroe in Del Ray and I spent 5 minutes trying to get a ulock around the rack, a wheel, and my frame and failed miserably for both the front and back of my bike. There’s maybe a way through the chain stays and back tire, but the rack at CVS is too close to the building for that to work.

I’ll try to start adding racks from Del Ray since I noticed the system will accept them. I just need to remember to stop and take photos of them.

[Emm]

@AFHokie 116300 wrote:

A buddy of mine rode from Shirlington area to Bolling when he lived here. If you’d like, I can shoot him an email and see if he has any suggestions.

If you can, that’d be awesome. Thank you!

[Emm]

@bentbike33 116249 wrote:

Maine Avenue is getting better. New pavement smooths many rough spots allowing one to get to speed if taking the lane. Still probably not the best route for your friend, however.

That’s good to know. My fiance needs to go from Alexandria to the new USGG headquarters (DHS headquarters…someday) in Anacostia, and Maine Ave may be his only real route…

[Emm]

Today I found my coworker on the MVT biking to work for the first time! (or more accurately, he saw me ride by him at Gravely Point and called out my name). We rode the rest of the way in together. He was going to try to take Maine Ave to work, which I told him might be a nightmare, so I showed him the route along the National Mall, and then locked his bike to mine when he realized he brought the wrong key for his lock.

Next steps for him probably involve getting a bike that fits and a water bottle. But he seems pretty dedicated to riding in every day which is awesome!

[Emm]

@cvcalhoun 116162 wrote:

I somehow ended up with EIGHT water bottles, in all sizes, shapes, and models, in the course of BTWD. Even after giving one to my wife, this is what I have left:

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I had the same issue. I kept 3, and put 5 in my office’s kitchen with signs on them saying “brand new! Plz take me!”. They were gone within the afternoon .

[Emm]

I’m not going to be able to help you, besides to let you know the same thing (random cracking/hitting noise) happened to me with my last hybrid. It freaked me out. The shop looked at it multiple times, finally doing a full tune up, replacing chain and cassette, cables, checking bottom bracket, pedals, wheels, etc (everything was under warranty), and making sure the frame wasn’t cracked. And…no difference. The shifting improved dramatically with the tune up, but the noise kept occurring.

One shop mechanic finally asked me about my rides, which included alot of gravely trails. He theorized gravel got into the frame (possible with how my bike was built–it has some gravel sized holes that the cables go through, and the sound matched), but it still seemed a little far fetched.

I finally sold the stupid bike on cragislist. According to the shop it was 100% safe to ride, so I didn’t feel that guilty.

[Emm]

@KWL 115913 wrote:

I am truly sorry for giving you that false information. The ride through the grove is pretty, though.

No need to be sorry. It was a pleasant detour

[Emm]

Del Ray @6:30 AM had warm cookies from The Happy Tart–a gluten free bake shop that I ADORE (even though I can eat gluten). This was the best start of the day EVER, and the Velocity staff handed me a chain cleaning tool for wearing pink, so that was a total win. I had some coffee and powerade too and snagged a water bottle.

Crystal City: Not much going on. Confirmation that I got a sweet crystal city jersey. I had a bagel and more coffee, and got my t-shirt. Met KWL, who I creeped up behind on Crystal Drive for the 2nd day this week (so I finally said hello vs being a total creeper).

Columbia Island: total fail.

Rosslyn: Nice and busy. Had more coffee and some kind bars and a banana. I skipped the bagels, which I regret a little right now since I’m hungry again. Got quietly handed a women’s sleeveless jersey from the Diabetes Ride person. A little big, but I desperately need a sleeveless jersey this was a serious win. They also had the car free diet t-shirts in a size S this year, so that was a win since I really like the design. Also got some sweet bike arlington socks, and ~4 more water bottles, and a t-shirt for my fiance from Potomac Peddlers. And more coffee.

Freedom Plaza: more water bottles, random AAA light up stuff, snagged a a t-shirt for my fiance. And had more coffee. Person who won the bike was 2 raffle tickets after me, so I was sad

At work now, with more coffee thanks to my coworker. I’m almost shaking from the caffeine, I feel AWESOME.

And I now have 8 water bottles (which I’m slowly giving away at the office).

[Emm]

Same thing i checked it out after you gave me the tip at crystal city. Maybe it’s an evening pit stop?

[Emm]

@KeithInHillEast 115825 wrote:

Hello!
I am thinking of riding to work and wanted to get some route advice. I previously commuted from Capitol Hill to Crystal City but now am employed near the intersection of route 50 and S. George Mason Dr.

Does anyone know a nice way to get from the mall over to the bike trail that runs along route 50 and ultimately to S. George Mason Dr? Google suggested a route across Arlington Memorial bridge and through Arlington Cemetery but I wasn’t convinced that’s the best route. Can anyone confirm or suggest another way?

Its about a 9-10 mile commute one way that I am looking forward to.
Thanks
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I used to take that route almost every day to Rosslyn from DC–it’s a pretty route and not too tough. Just be very careful crossing the roads on either side of Memorial Bridge (aka make sure cars in BOTH lanes stop to let you cross before you start moving). You wont actually enter the cemetery proper–you’re mostly on NPS land since they run the land the Iwo Jima memorial is on.

Enjoy the hills–the one right before the Netherlands Carillon was the bane of my existence for a good month before I learned how to drop gears correctly .

[Emm]

@Tim Kelley 115778 wrote:

We got our shipment of swag from Trek/Bontrager in yesterday! It came in about 17 boxes…

hmm, maybe I re-route and do del ray, crystal city, rosslyn to work (SW DC) since I am more focused on the swag side of things. If I take my road bike, this is do-able, esp if I just give up and admit I’ll be 15-20 min late to work. If I leave home by 6:30 this is totally a possibility.

[Emm]

@jpetty1 115750 wrote:

Thank you all for the support and coming out, definitely makes the early rise out of bed much easier to know that you all are enjoying the program. After this mornings event we are at 84 riders who have rode all week!

The plan is to give out the jerseys at the first Crystal City Blues & Brews event on Wednesday, June 3 from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM. We should have sizes for everyone in men’s and women’s cuts. We will do a random raffle of the riders who biked in 4 days for the remaining jerseys (which as of now is 16 jerseys for a possible 31 riders)

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING WOMEN’S CUTS!!!! I can’t even count the times I’ve won shirts/jerseys/other stuff only to not wear them since since they’re men’s sizes, which fit really poorly on me.

You guys are awesome. I loved the free coffee and bagels, and the friendly faces every morning. Thank you for getting up early to staff the booth–you made my commute in this week so much brighter.

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